32868 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 117 / Monday, June 18, 2001 / Notices
• Bergen—Passaic Cross County Provision of new transportation aesthetics, community disruption, Corridor DEIS, a study by NJ TRANSIT service in the Northern Branch Corridor environmental justice, construction that will examine the potential benefits, would address: impacts, and cumulative impacts. Key costs, and impacts of alternatives for • Commuting to New York City areas of environmental concern would improving access in the NYS&W study (trans-Hudson), from Bergen County; be in the areas of potential new area, including a potential light rail • Inter- and intra-corridor construction (e.g. new stations, new service via the Hudson Bergen Light commuting, both to employment centers track, etc.). The impacts will be Rail; within the study corridors, and from the evaluated both for the construction • West Haverstraw Extension Study, a study corridors to employment locations period and for the long-term period of study by Rockland County and NJ in other areas of New Jersey; and, operation of each alternative. Measures • TRANSIT examining the potential to Non-work trips including business, to mitigate any significant adverse extend the West Shore Commuter Rail shopping, recreational, and education to impacts will be identified. service to West Haverstraw, New York; New York City, within the corridor, and • Access to the Region’s Core Study to destinations outside the corridor in V. FTA Procedures (ARC), a joint study by NJ TRANSIT, New Jersey. The DEIS will be prepared in Port Authority of New York and New III. Alternatives conjunction with a major investment Jersey, and the Metropolitan study and will document the results of Transportation Authority (MTA). The The alternatives proposed for that study, including an evaluation of ARC study continues to study access to evaluation include: the potential social, economic, and Midtown Manhattan from points east (1) The Baseline Alternative, which environmental impacts of the and west; includes no-build conditions, plus any alternatives. Upon completion, the MIS/ • Penn Station Access MIS/DEIS, a cost-effective transit improvements that DEIS will be available for public and study by Metro-North to examine can be implemented, short of the agency review and comment. Public improving access to Penn Station to/ proposed new start alternative. The no- hearing(s) will be held within the study from the Metro-North service area; and build conditions involve the current • area. On the basis of the MIS/DEIS and Conrail/CSX/Norfolk Southern infrastructure of highways, trains, and the public and agency comments Merger, a change in the ownership of bus services, in addition to all ongoing, received, a locally preferred alternative the freight network, dividing the former committed and funded roadway and will be selected, to be further detailed Conrail holdings between CSX and transit projects outlined in the State in the final EIS. Norfolk Southern. Transportation Improvement Program Following the public scoping process, (STIP) including projects under Issued on: June 13, 2001. public outreach activities will include construction such as the Secaucus Letitia Thompson, meetings with a Community Liaison Transfer Station and the Hudson-Bergen Regional Administrator, TRO–II, Federal Committee (CLC) established for the Light Rail Transit (HBLRT). Transit Transit Administration. study and comprised of community improvements lower in cost than the [FR Doc. 01–15329 Filed 6–15–01; 8:45 am] leaders; public meetings and hearings; proposed new start alternative were also BILLING CODE 4910–57–P distribution of study newsletter(s); and identified for inclusion in the Baseline use of other outreach mechanisms. Alternative, including a bus component, Every effort will be made to ensure that from Bergen County to the East DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the widest possible range of public Midtown Manhattan. participants has the opportunity to (2) The Build Alternative, Northern Federal Transit Administration attend general public meetings (e.g., Branch light rail service via HBLRT. The Major Investment Study/Draft scoping meetings and public hearing(s)) Build Alternative will involve Environmental Impact Statement for held by NJ TRANSIT to solicit input on construction of new transportation the West Shore Corridor, Bergen the Northern Branch Corridor MIS/ infrastructure, including tracks, stations County, New Jersey and Rockland DEIS. Attendance will be sought and yards. Additional reasonable Build County, New York through mailings, notices, alternatives suggested during the advertisements, and press releases. scoping process, including those AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration involving other modes, may be (FTA). II. Description of Study Area and considered. Transportation Needs ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a IV. Probable Effects Major Investment Study/Draft The study area includes the Northern Environmental Impact Statement (MIS/ Branch corridor, through Fairview, The FTA and NJ TRANSIT will DEIS). Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, evaluate all potential changes to the Englewood, and Tenafly in New Jersey. social, economic, and physical SUMMARY: The Federal Transit The purpose of the Northern Branch environment, including air quality, Administration (FTA) and the New MIS/DEIS is to examine solutions for noise and vibration, traffic, parking, Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ addressing mobility issues in Bergen transit, pedestrians and freight rail, TRANSIT) intend to prepare a Major County, New Jersey, and to identify a energy and potential for conservation, Investment Study/Draft Environmental preferred alternative that will improve electric and magnetic fields, safety and Impact Statement (MIS/DEIS) to study mobility within that region. The MIS/ security, water quality, wetlands, transportation access improvements DEIS will be conducted in coordination flooding, navigable waterways and along the West Shore corridor in Bergen with other major network expansion coastal zones, ecologically sensitive County, New Jersey and Rockland proposals under study or construction areas, endangered species, hazardous County, New York. The MIS/DEIS is within the region. The MIS/DEIS will waste, land acquisition and being prepared in accordance with the examine and document the social, displacements, land use, zoning and National Environmental Policy Act of economic, and environmental impacts economic development, consistency 1969 (NEPA), as amended, and of implementing identified study with local plans, historic properties and implemented by the Council on alternatives. resources, parkland, archaeology, Environmental Quality (CEQ)
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regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), for the afternoon session; registration to at NJ TRANSIT, as indicated above. The the FTA/Federal Highway speak will begin at 6:30 pm and will West Shore Corridor MIS/DEIS will be Administration’s Environmental Impact remain open until 8:30 pm for the closely coordinated with major regional regulations (23 CFR part 771), and the evening session. The scoping meeting initiatives and studies that are related to FTA/FHWA Statewide Planning/ will conclude at 4:30 pm and 8:30 pm, this effort, including: Metropolitan Planning regulations (23 respectively, if there are no remaining • Secaucus Transfer Station, a NJ CFR part 450). This study will also registered speakers. TRANSIT project currently under comply with the requirements of the People with special needs should construction that will create a National Historic Preservation Act of contact Joseph Lombardi at NJ TRANSIT connection between the existing Main, 1966, as amended, section 4(f) of the at the address below or call the study Bergen County, and Pascack Valley 1966 U.S. Department of Transportation toll-free information line at 1–866–658– Lines with the Northeast Corridor Line, Act, the 1990 Clean Air Act 9874. The buildings are accessible to improving access to Midtown Amendments, the Executive Order people with disabilities. A sign language Manhattan and other destinations; 12898 on Environmental Justice, and interpreter will be made available for • Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Transit other applicable rules, regulations, and the hearing impaired by calling the (HBLRT), a NJ TRANSIT project guidance documents. study toll-free information line at 1– currently under construction that will The purpose of the West Shore 866–658–9874. create a new light rail line operating Corridor MIS/DEIS is to examine Scoping material will be available at from the Vince Lombardi Park-and-Ride solutions for improving mobility in the meetings and may also be obtained to Bayonne. The initial segment in Bergen County, New Jersey and in advance of the meetings by Jersey City and Bayonne opened in Rockland County, New York and to contacting Joseph Lombardi at the April 2000; document the social, economic, and address below or by calling the study • Newark Airport Station/Monorail environmental impacts of implementing toll-free information line above. Oral Extension, a NJ TRANSIT project identified study alternatives. The MIS/ and written comments may be given at currently under construction that will DEIS will identify a preferred the scoping meetings; a stenographer connect the Northeast Corridor Line and alternative that will improve mobility will record all comments. the Newark Airport Monorail; • within that region. The MIS/DEIS will ADDRESSES: Written comments on the Northern Branch Corridor DEIS, a evaluate a Baseline Alternative and a project scope should be sent to Joseph study by NJ TRANSIT that will examine Build Alternative. The Build Alternative Lombardi, Project Manager, NJ the potential benefits, costs, and under consideration was selected as a TRANSIT, One Penn Plaza East, impacts of alternatives for improving result of the findings of the West Shore Newark, NJ 07105–2246. The scoping access in the Northern Branch study Region Alternatives Analysis Report meetings will be held at the locations area, including a potential light rail (December 1999). The Alternatives identified above. service via the Hudson Bergen Light Rail; Analysis Report recommended an FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If • alternative for advancement to the MIS/ Bergen—Passaic Cross County you wish to be placed on the mailing Corridor DEIS, a study by NJ TRANSIT DEIS phase of the project made up of list to receive further information as the the following components: West Shore that will examine the potential benefits, study develops, contact Joseph costs, and impacts of alternatives for corridor commuter rail service via the Lombardi at the above address or call Meadowlands Sports Complex; improving access in the NYS&W study the study toll-free information line at 1– area, including a potential light rail Northern Branch corridor light rail 866–658–9874. For further information, service via Hudson Bergen Light Rail service via the Hudson Bergen Light you may also contact: Mr. Irwin B. Rail; Transit (HBLRT); and NYS&W corridor Kessman, Director, Office of Planning • light rail service via HBLRT. All three West Haverstraw Extension Study, a and Program Development, Federal study by Rockland County and NJ of these proposed new rail services Transit Administration, Region II, One would involve construction of new TRANSIT examining the potential to Bowling Green, Room 429, New York, extend the West Shore Commuter Rail transportation infrastructure, including New York, 10004–1415; phone: 212– tracks, stations and yards. This MIS/ service to West Haverstraw, New York; 668–2170, fax: 212–668–2136. • Access to the Region’s Core Study DEIS will examine the West Shore SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: (ARC), a joint study by NJ TRANSIT, commuter rail service via the Port Authority of New York and New Meadowlands Sports Complex. I. Scoping Jersey, and the Metropolitan DATES: Comment Due Date: Written The FTA and NJ TRANSIT invite all Transportation Authority (MTA). The comments on the scope of the MIS/DEIS interested individuals and ARC study continues to study access to should be sent to NJ TRANSIT by organizations, and federal, state, and Midtown Manhattan from points east August 15, 2001. See ADDRESSES below. local agencies to provide comments on and west; Scoping Meeting: Public scoping the scope of the study. During the • Penn Station Access MIS/DEIS, a meetings for the West Shore Corridor scoping process, comments should study by Metro-North to examine MIS/DEIS will be held on: focus on identifying specific social, improving access to Penn Station to/ • Thursday July 12, 2001, 3 p.m. to 5 economic, or environmental issues to be from the Metro-North service area; and p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Orangetown evaluated and suggesting alternatives, • Conrail/CSX/Norfolk Southern Town Hall, Courtroom, 26 Orangeburg which may be less costly or have less Merger, a change in the ownership of Road, Orangeburg, New York 10962 environmental impacts, while achieving the freight network, dividing the former • Wednesday July 18, 2001, 3 p.m. to the similar transportation objectives. Conrail holdings between CSX and 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Teaneck Comments should focus on the issues Norfolk Southern. Recreation Center, 2nd Floor Multi- and alternatives for analysis and not on Following the public scoping process, Purpose Room, 250 Colonial Court, a preference for a particular alternative. public outreach activities will include Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 Scoping materials will be available at meetings with a Community Liaison Registration to speak will begin at the meetings or in advance of the Committee (CLC) established for the 2:30 pm and will remain open until 4:30 meetings by contacting Joseph Lombardi study and comprised of community
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leaders; public meetings and hearings; (STIP) including projects under the public and agency comments distribution of study newsletter(s); and construction such as the Secaucus received, a locally preferred alternative use of other outreach mechanisms. Transfer Station and the Hudson-Bergen will be selected, to be further detailed Every effort will be made to ensure that Light Rail Transit (HBLRT). Transit in the final EIS. the widest possible range of public improvements lower in cost than the Issued on: June 13, 2001. participants has the opportunity to proposed new start alternative were also Letitia Thompson, attend general public meetings (e.g., identified for inclusion in the Baseline scoping meetings and public hearing(s)) Alternative, including a bus component Regional Administrator, TRO–II, Federal Transit Administration. held by NJ TRANSIT to solicit input on from Bergen and Rockland Counties to the West Shore Corridor MIS/DEIS. the East Midtown Manhattan; enhanced [FR Doc. 01–15330 Filed 6–15–01; 8:45 am] Attendance will be sought through rail service including new hourly off- BILLING CODE 4910–57–P mailings, notices, advertisements, and peak service on the Pascack Valley Line; press releases. and additional ferry service from DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Congers in Rockland County to II. Description of Study Area and Midtown Manhattan. (2) the Build Transportation Needs National Highway Traffic Safety Alternative, West Shore commuter rail Administration The study area includes the West service via the Meadowlands Sports Shore corridor, through East Rutherford, Complex. The Build Alternative will [Docket No. NHTSA–2001–9882] Carlstadt, Ridgefield, Ridgefield Park, involve construction of new Bogota, Teaneck, Bergenfield, Dumont, transportation infrastructure, including Decision That Certain Nonconforming Haworth, Closter, Harrington Park, tracks, stations and yards. Additional Motor Vehicles Are Eligible for Norwood, and Northvale in New Jersey reasonable Build alternatives suggested Importation and Orangetown and Clarkstown in during the scoping process, including AGENCY: National Highway Traffic New York. The purpose of the West those involving other modes, may be Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT. Shore corridor MIS/DEIS is to examine considered. ACTION: Notice of decision by NHTSA solutions for addressing mobility issues IV. Probable Effects that certain nonconforming motor in Bergen County, New Jersey and vehicles are eligible for importation. Rockland County, New York, and to The FTA and NJ TRANSIT will identify a preferred alternative that will evaluate all potential changes to the SUMMARY: This document announces improve mobility within that region. social, economic, and physical decisions by NHTSA that certain motor The MIS/DEIS will be conducted in environment, including air quality, vehicles not originally manufactured to coordination with other major network noise and vibration, traffic, parking, comply with all applicable Federal expansion proposals under study or transit, pedestrians and freight rail, motor vehicle safety standards are construction within the region. The energy and potential for conservation, eligible for importation into the United MIS/DEIS will examine and document electric and magnetic fields, safety and States because they are substantially the social, economic, and environmental security, water quality, wetlands, similar to vehicles originally impacts of implementing identified flooding, navigable waterways and manufactured for importation into and/ study alternatives. coastal zones, ecologically sensitive or sale in the United States and certified Provision of new transportation areas, endangered species, hazardous by their manufacturers as complying service in the West Shore corridor waste, land acquisition and with the safety standards, and they are would address: displacements, land use, zoning and capable of being readily altered to • Commuting to New York City economic development, consistency conform to the standards. with local plans, historic properties and (trans-Hudson), from Bergen and DATES: These decisions are effective as resources, parkland, archaeology, Rockland Counties; of the date of their publication in the • aesthetics, community disruption, Inter- and intra-corridor Federal Register. commuting, both to employment centers environmental justice, construction FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: within the study corridors, and from the impacts, and cumulative impacts. Key study corridors to employment locations areas of environmental concern would George Entwistle, Office of Vehicle in other areas of New Jersey; and, be in the areas of potential new Safety Compliance, NHTSA (202–366– • Non-work trips including business, construction (e.g. new stations, new 5306). shopping, recreational, and education to track, etc.). The impacts will be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: New York City, within the corridor, and evaluated both for the construction Background to destinations outside the corridor in period and for the long-term period of New Jersey. operation of each alternative. Measures Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(1)(A), a to mitigate any significant adverse motor vehicle that was not originally III. Alternatives impacts will be identified. manufactured to conform to all The alternatives proposed for applicable Federal motor vehicle safety evaluation include: (1) the Baseline V. FTA Procedures standards shall be refused admission Alternative, which includes no-build The DEIS will be prepared in into the United States unless NHTSA conditions, plus any cost-effective conjunction with a major investment has decided that the motor vehicle is transit improvements that can be study and will document the results of substantially similar to a motor vehicle implemented, short of the proposed new that study, including an evaluation of originally manufactured for importation start alternative. The no-build the potential social, economic, and into and sale in the United States, conditions involve the current environmental impacts of the certified under 49 U.S.C. 30115, and of infrastructure of highways, trains, and alternatives. Upon completion, the MIS/ the same model year as the model of the bus services, in addition to all ongoing, DEIS will be available for public and motor vehicle to be compared, and is committed and funded roadway and agency review and comment. Public capable of being readily altered to transit projects outlined in the State hearing(s) will be held within the study conform to all applicable Federal motor Transportation Improvement Program area. On the basis of the MIS/DEIS and vehicle safety standards.
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